Book-holder.



L. P. RYAN. BO0K HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 17- l9l5.

,1 ,237,10'1. I V -PatentedAug. 14,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET n.

L. P. RYAN.

800K HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11. 1915.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LOUIS 1?. RYAN, OF BLOOIVIFIELD, INDIANA.

BOOK-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

,Iatented Aug. 14, 1917.

Application filed November 17, 1915. Serial No. 61,973.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS P. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomfield, in the county of Greene and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled 1n the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same.

My invention relates to book holders which are designed for use on a desk or tabio and which have adjustable members for holding the books in an upright position, and the object of my invention is to provide an improved, simple and eflicient device of this character which may readily be folded for shipping or storing purposes and which when set up for use will automatically adjust itself to the books to be supported.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective showing the device in opera tive position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows the device folded for shipment.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base upon which are mounted two spacedapart supporting members 2 upon which the books are designed to rest. The adjacent sides of these members are oppositely beveled and together form a wedge groove 3 which is adapted to receive a tenon block 4 of a follower 5. It is manifest that the base and supporting members may be made from a single unit centrally grooved to provide the wedge groove 3. As in devices of this character t ere are two followers between which .the books are desi nod to be sup ported. Each comprises a ase 6 to the underside of which the block 4 is secured, and a hinged panel 7, which normally occu ies an upright positlon substantially at rlght angles to the base6. In order to securerigidity of this panel when in its upright position I provide a telescopingbrace 8 the ends of which are respectively connected to the outermost portions of the panel and the ase.

The exposed face of each supporting member 2 forms a way upon which the followers may readily slide. Each of the blocks 4.- has a longitudinal bore 9 to receive a coiled spring 10 the ends of whichare respectively secured at the outer ends of the blocks or to the base. By this means the followers are constantly drawn toward each other and will maintain all the books in orderly arrangement. As a book is removed from the holder there will be either a simultaneous or relative movement of the followers, depending upon whether the space to be filled is nearer one or the other follower or about central therebetween.

It is obvious that for the ping the holder or storing it the panels 7 may be readily folded flush with the bases, the latter being drawn apart for this purose. p In Fig. 2 I have shown, in dotted lines, one of the panels midway its upright and folded position.

I claim as my invention:

A book holder comprising a base, spaced apart parallel supporting members on said base, the adjacent edges of said members being beveled to form a wedge groove followers adapted to slide on said supporting members and having each a relatively fixed 'portion and a movable portion, and a telescoping brace between said portions, wedge shape tenons secured to the relatively fixed portion of said followers and ada ted to be received in said wedge groove to orm a sliding connection between said followers and said base, and a coiled spring connecting said tenons.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

purpose of ship- LOUIS" P. RYAN.

I Witnesses:

R. P. THOMPSON, C. H, SImRTznR. 

